Library News

This school year, the 2021-2022 class of 7th Graders at Stilwell Jr. High School completed an extensive project-based learning course that resulted in the creation of 26 children's books highlighting the stories of local refugees.

Our library staff is happy to assist you with any questions you might have regarding the upcoming primary election on June 7, 2022. While the Library did host one day of Early Voting for Polk County on Saturday, June 4, we are NOT a polling location for June 7, 2022. 

Need to register?

At the April 19 meeting of the West Des Moines Public Library Board of Trustees, the Board voted to raise the age at which children may be alone at the library from eight years of age to 10 years of age. The Board also decided that those acting as caregivers for younger patrons must be 14 years or older.

According to the library’s policies, parents, guardians, and caregivers must:

Repairs will be made to the West Des Moines Public Library's parking lot starting on Monday, April 25. These repairs will be made in a four-phased approach to allow patrons and staff to access the library throughout the renovation. Our book drop and entrance will always be accessible throughout this 6-8 week renovation process.  

Please refer to the image below to understand which areas of the lot will be closed at different times. We will update this article as we hear firm dates for the other phases moving forward. 

We're asking for five minutes of your time to complete this survey and help guide the future of our public library.

None of questions require a response but it would help the library if you would answer each question. 

Your responses to this survey are confidential.

Take survey now. 

Some of our patrons who utilize our eContent services may have noticed some changes to OverDrive. This is because, as of February 23, OverDrive has started to transition all users to the Libby app.

Iowa’s unemployment rates are very low, and that means lots of opportunity for job seekers! If you are looking for work, or considering a career change, it’s a great time to brush up on your job skills.

We’ll be offering a Job Smarts series all through March that focuses on how to get that dream job. You’ll learn how to find a job listing, how to create a strong resume that showcases your skills, and how to ace an interview.

You can attend one program or attend them all!  

The West Des Moines Public Library is partnering with DART to celebrate Read Across America Week! Use your library card to ride FREE on DART’s Local and Express routes, On Call service and DART On Demand February 27 – March 5.

Just show your library card (this can be your physical card or your card on our mobile app) when you board any DART bus this week. It's that simple! Then enjoy DART's free WiFi to listen to an eAudiobook or read an eBook. 

As of this week, users of our Hoopla downloadables services will notice their monthly limit has been changed from 10 checkouts per month to six (6) checkouts per month.  

Beginning March 12, 2022, The Des Moines Register will transition from delivering the Saturday print edition to providing subscribers with a full Saturday electronic edition (e-Edition).

Patrons will still be able to access the Saturday paper online via our website. The digital archives of The Des Moines Register are available from 2005 - present.

The library wants to know what you need and how they can help! Please complete this quick, anonymous survey to let your voice count. 

Ever wonder what the most popular books in the library are during the year? Here's the breakdown of the top 10 most circulated items in adult fiction, young adult fiction and children's fiction! 

Adult Fiction: 

1. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune 

by Melissa Gillespie, WDM Library Board of Trustees

Represent your favorite neighborhood library in our WDM Public Library merchandise! All proceeds will directly support the West Des Moines Library Friends Foundation.

There are t-shirts, long sleeved t-shirts, and crewnecks available for purchase with our "Embrace the Joy of Reading" design on them. 

We asked our library staff to share what they were most thankful about the West Des Moines Public Library. Explore their answers below! 

"I am thankful for the families who make the library a regular part of their routine. We so enjoy getting to know them and their children and it is a privilege to get to watch the children grow up!" – Jenna